The rain gradually stopped, and the forest was filled with the moist scent of earth and... a strong smell of blood.
Chu Yang stood still, closing his eyes slightly, feeling the power surging within him like a vast, endless ocean. This was not the Qi Refining Stage, perhaps not even surpassing Foundation Establishment or Golden Core... this was power infused by the System, named "Peak Heavenly Venerable Realm"! In this world, it was legendary!
With a slight movement of his thought, he attempted to summon a trace of Spiritual Power.
Buzz!
A wisp of Chaos-colored light flowed around his fingertip, and the surrounding space seemed to slightly distort, emitting a heart-palpitating fluctuation. He casually swiped towards a nearby Green Stone, half the height of a man.
There was no sound, no explosion.
The Green Stone slid away along a mirror-smooth cut, as if sliced by the sharpest blade of space. With a soft 'poof', it embedded itself in the mud.
Brilliant light erupted from Chu Yang's eyes. Power! This was absolute power! Ten years of humiliation, now held in his grasp—he almost wanted to roar to the heavens and expel all his pent-up frustration!
But ten years of forbearance allowed him to quickly calm down. He took a deep breath, suppressed the surging Qi and Blood, and began communicating with the System in his mind.
"System, detail your functions."
【This System is the "Strongest Sect System," designed to assist the Host in becoming the master of the strongest Sect in this world.】
【Function One: Sect Construction. The Host can complete missions to obtain Points, which can be exchanged for Sect Basic Construction such as the Scripture Conveying Hall, Scripture Repository Pavilion, Pill Refining Room, Sect Protecting Grand Array, Spirit Veins, and more.】
【Function Two: Disciple Cultivation. Recruit disciples who meet the "Hidden Dragon in the Abyss" criteria or possess a Special Physique. Based on the disciple's potential and loyalty, the System will deduce and provide the most suitable supreme Cultivation Method and resources for their practice. The Host can gain rewards by cultivating disciples and increasing Sect prestige.】
【Function Three: System Mall. Points can be used to exchange for all things, including but not limited to Cultivation Methods, Pills, Magic Treasures, Talismans, Cultivation Level Cards, and so on.】
【Function Four: Cultivation Infusion. The Host can directly increase their own Cultivation Level by completing missions, recruiting disciples, etc. （Current Host Cultivation Level: Peak Heavenly Venerable Realm; cannot be further increased via infusion at this time）.】
【The Newbie Gift Pack has been issued. Do you wish to open it?】
"Open it!" Chu Yang did not hesitate.
【Congratulations to the Host for obtaining:】
【1. Sect Foundation Stone × 1 （Used to select the Sect location and lay the foundation）】
【2. Basic Breath Concealment Technique （Allows free adjustment of one's own aura, capable of disguising down to the Qi Refining First Layer）】
【3. Low-Grade Spirit Stones × 1000】
【4. 《Chaos Heaven Opening Art》 Introductory Chapter （Exclusive Cultivation Method, compatible with Chaos Spirit Root）】
【5. Sect Location Guidance Map （Marks the most suitable Feng Shui treasure spot for establishing a Sect nearby）】
Looking at the items appearing in the System Space, Chu Yang felt greatly reassured. Especially the 《Chaos Heaven Opening Art》 and the Breath Concealment Technique, which were exactly what he needed most right now. The Cultivation Method allowed him to truly begin cultivating and unleash the power of his Chaos Spirit Root; while the Breath Concealment Technique allowed him to act discreetly, avoiding unnecessary trouble before his strength was fully consolidated.
He immediately learned the 《Chaos Heaven Opening Art》 Introductory Chapter and the Basic Breath Concealment Technique. In an instant, countless profound Runes and information flooded his mind, as if innate. He circulated the Cultivation Method, and the Heavenly Venerable Realm Spiritual Power, which had previously existed passively within him, began to circulate according to an ancient and mysterious route, becoming more condensed, obedient, and achieving a higher degree of integration with his Soul. An unprecedented sense of fulfillment and control arose.
Simultaneously, he cast the Breath Concealment Technique, and the vast, ocean-like aura around him instantly vanished without a trace. Externally, he reverted to that "Waste Material" possessing only the Qi Refining First Layer cultivation, appearing even more unremarkable.
"Very good." Chu Yang nodded with satisfaction. He brought up the illusory "Sect Location Guidance Map," which clearly marked a bright spot in a valley deeper within the Demonic Beast Mountain Range.
"This is the place."
He identified the direction and set off. His steps were steady, landing silently, his speed ghostly fast—a complete transformation from before. Low-tier Demonic Beasts encountered along the way didn't even notice his approach before being startled away by a faint trace of Qi Mechanism naturally emanating from him.
However, the Demonic Beast Mountain Range was not called a Forbidden Land just because of these low-tier existences.
Just as he approached the periphery of the valley marked on the map, an extremely fierce, foul-smelling, terrifying aura swept towards him like a Storm from the dense forest ahead!
Rumble!
The ground trembled slightly, and towering ancient trees were violently snapped. A colossal creature burst through the forest barrier and appeared before Chu Yang!
It was a Demonic Beast in the form of a Giant Ape, over three zhang tall, covered entirely in pitch-black scales resembling metal. Its muscles were knotted, brimming with explosive power. Its eyes were blood-red, and fangs protruded from its mouth, dripping saliva that hissed and corroded the ground. Most striking was a strange pattern burning with Black Flame right in the center of its forehead.
A Third Tier Peak Demonic Beast, the Black Scaled Violent Ape! Its strength was comparable to a human cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core Late Stage! Moreover, judging by its solidified aura and extraordinary bloodline, it was likely only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the Fourth Tier!
Scattered beneath the Black Scaled Violent Ape’s feet were several broken human corpses and weapon fragments—clearly adventurers who had trespassed here recently, now serving as its meal.
"Roar—!!"
The Black Scaled Violent Ape spotted Chu Yang, the uninvited guest. Sensing the faint aura of the Qi Refining Stage （disguised） on him, its eyes revealed cruelty and disdain. It threw its head back and let out a deafening roar! The sound wave was substantial, shaking the surrounding leaves loose.
It clearly regarded Chu Yang as a small snack delivered right to its door.
Chu Yang stopped, frowning slightly. A Third Tier Peak Demonic Beast—if it were before, he couldn't even withstand one of its roars. But now...
He felt the dormant yet terrifying power within him, and his gaze gradually turned cold.
"Perfect. I'll use you to test my skills and familiarize myself with the strength of this Physical Body."
He did not release his Heavenly Venerable Realm aura, intending to cope using only his Physical Body and the Spiritual Power from the initially grasped 《Chaos Heaven Opening Art》. What he sought was not just crushing victory, but mastery!
The Black Scaled Violent Ape saw the tiny human standing still instead of fleeing, observing it with an uncomfortable gaze, and became instantly enraged!
Its massive foot stomped down violently, cracking the ground. Yet, its huge body displayed agility inconsistent with its size as it charged towards Chu Yang like a small mountain! Its millstone-sized fist whistled as it tore through the air, smashing down fiercely! Where the Fist Wind passed, even the air became viscous!
This single punch was enough to flatten a small hill!
Facing this ferocious strike, Chu Yang neither dodged nor retreated; instead, a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes. He slowly raised his right hand, slightly clenching his five fingers. Chaos-colored Spiritual Power danced like faint arcs of lightning around his fingertips, meeting the giant fist that was larger than his entire body.
The stark contrast in size created a visually impactful scene.
"Boom!!!"
A muffled, ultimate roar exploded!
Centered on the point of impact, a terrifying wave of air spread out in a ring, sweeping away and shattering the trees and stones within dozens of meters!
The expected scene of Chu Yang being smashed into a pulp did not materialize.
He remained standing firmly in place, not even the corner of his robe fluttering violently. His right hand, enveloped in Chaos Spiritual Power, acted like indestructible divine iron, firmly blocking the Black Scaled Violent Ape's giant fist capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks!
Where fist met palm, space slightly warped, emitting a groaning sound as if under unbearable strain.
In the Black Scaled Violent Ape's blood-red eyes, a human-like look of shock and disbelief appeared for the first time! It felt as if its fist had struck an eternal, ancient divine mountain; the Rebound force left its entire arm numb and agonizingly painful!
"Your strength is passable, but... that is all."
Chu Yang spoke faintly, his tone calm and level. He gave his wrist a slight shake.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound of bone fracturing rang out!
The Black Scaled Violent Ape let out a piercing scream. Its arm, thick as a supporting pillar, bent at a bizarre angle! White bone shards pierced through the scales and skin, exposed to the air!
"Roar!!!"
The intense pain completely ignited the Black Scaled Violent Ape's ferocity. The Black Flame pattern on its forehead suddenly lit up, and a more tyrannical aura surged forth. It opened its cavernous mouth, and a concentrated beam of black energy, emitting destructive fluctuations, rapidly condensed within its maw!
This was its innate Divine Ability—the Destruction Black Flame!
However, Chu Yang was faster than it!
Just before the black beam was about to spew out, Chu Yang moved. His figure flashed like a phantom, instantly vanishing from the spot. The next moment, he appeared above the Black Scaled Violent Ape's massive head.
He pointed his fingers like a sword, his fingertips entwined with an increasingly dense Chaos Qi Flow, and lightly swiped towards the Black Scaled Violent Ape's enormous skull.
"Hiss—!"
A faint, almost invisible thread of Chaos color flashed and vanished.
Time seemed to freeze for an instant.
The Black Scaled Violent Ape's massive body stiffened abruptly, and the black beam condensed in its mouth silently dissipated. Its blood-red eyes were filled with extreme terror and bewilderment.
A fine bloodline spread from the center of its forehead, extending down the bridge of its nose, across its mouth, neck, and chest... all the way down.
Slash!
The massive ape carcass split neatly into two halves along that bloodline! Internal organs and blood poured out like a waterfall, dyeing the ground a scarlet red!
The Third Tier Peak Demonic Beast, the Black Scaled Violent Ape, was dead!
Chu Yang landed lightly, looking at the instantly killed Giant Ape. Feeling that less than one ten-thousandth of the Spiritual Power within him had been consumed, he gained a clearer understanding of his own strength.
"Peak Heavenly Venerable Realm... truly powerful." He murmured to himself, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. This was the result of using only a tiny fraction of his power.
He walked to the entrance of the valley. The Spiritual Qi here was indeed much richer than in the outer areas, and the terrain was treacherous, easy to defend and hard to attack—truly a good location to establish a Sect.
He took out the faintly glowing "Sect Foundation Stone" and, following the System's guidance, drove it into the Earth Vein Node at the center of the valley.
Boom!
The moment the Cornerstone sank into the ground, the entire valley trembled slightly, as if some dormant power had been awakened. The surrounding Spiritual Qi began to converge towards the valley spontaneously, becoming purer and more active.
【Ding! The Sect Foundation Stone has been placed! Please name the Sect, Host!】
"Reincarnation." Chu Yang said without hesitation.
【Naming successful! The "Reincarnation Sect" has been officially established!】
【Main Quest "Founding a Sect" completed!】
【Rewards issued: Sect Basic Construction—"Scripture Conveying Hall" × 1, Great Emperor Realm Cultivation Experience Card （A Quarter Hour） × 1.】
【New Quest issued: Recruit Disciples!】
【Quest Requirement: Recruit one disciple who meets the "Hidden Dragon in the Abyss" destiny.】
【Quest Reward: Based on disciple potential evaluation, 1000 Points will be awarded, and one Special Lottery Chance × 1.】
The Phantom Image of the Scripture Conveying Hall appeared in the System Space, ready to Materialize at any time. As for that Great Emperor Realm Experience Card, it made Chu Yang's heart tighten; it was equivalent to a powerful trump card.
"Hidden Dragon in the Abyss..." Chu Yang looked beyond the mountain range, towards the direction of Qingyang City. The System faintly transmitted a weak sense—that destined Eldest Disciple seemed to be there.
He sat cross-legged beside the newly laid Sect Foundation Stone, began circulating the 《Chaos Heaven Opening Art》 to consolidate his Cultivation, and simultaneously pondered his next move.
Qingyang City, he had to make a trip back.
Some scores needed to be settled, and finding a disciple was the best opportunity.
The corner of his mouth curved into a cold, sharp arc.
Chu Family, Lin Wan'er, are you ready?
（Chapter Four End）